Free Blessings by Kim Vogel Sawyer

shut off the noisy box then headed toward the back of the house, still talking. “Beth and I were just getting ready to sit down to dinner. Come on back and have a bite.”
    Trina shrank against the door. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t think about the time. I’ll come back later.” She grabbed the doorknob.
    “Trina, wait.” Beth hustled into the room and caught Trina’s hand, pulling her away from the door. “Don’t run off. Tell me about your first day at the vet clinic. Andrew said you were very excited to finally get to work with Dr. Groening.”
    “But your dinner. . .” Trina flapped her hand in the direction of the kitchen, where Sean disappeared around the corner. “It’ll get cold.”
    “Sandwiches don’t get cold.” Beth grinned. “Sandwiches and canned fruit—that’s what we’re having, and it’ll keep. Fill me in.”
    Trina couldn’t imagine her mother putting such a simple meal on the table for supper. Beth was so different. She twisted a ribbon tie around her finger. “Well, it was nice to finally be there, but it wasn’t what I expected. I mostly just cleaned up.”
    Beth tipped her head. “Cleaned up?”
    “Yes. Floors, cages, exam tables, kennels, shelves.” Trina made a face. “I knew I wouldn’t be doing surgery, but I had hoped to at least work with the animals a little bit.”
    “Oh, Trina, I’m sorry.” Beth offered a brief hug. Trina savored the touch of sympathy she’d been seeking. Beth continued. “But surely it’s just because you’re new. Don’t you think, after you’ve been there awhile and have proven yourself capable of handling the little tasks, he’ll give you something more challenging to do?”
    Trina considered the question. When she’d started at the café with Miss Koeppler, she’d run the dishwasher and mopped floors. Gradually, the owner had increased Trina’s responsibilities until she finally became a waitress and handled the cash register. “Maybe you’re right.” Her heart leaped with hope. “Maybe I just need to prove myself.”
    “I’m sure that’s it,” Beth said, her smile encouraging. “Hang in there. You’ve wanted this for too long to give up now.”
    “Oh, I’m not giving up!” Trina heard the determination in her own voice. No matter what Graham or Andrew or Mama said, working with animals was in her heart. She wouldn’t set it aside.
    “Good for you.” Beth gave Trina another hug. “Come see me again on Friday and let me know what you’re doing by then, okay?”
    “Thanks, Beth.” Trina glimpsed Sean peeking out from the kitchen doorway. Beth might not be in a hurry to eat, but it appeared he was. She backed up to the door, her positive spirit restored. “I’ll see you Friday with a great report!”

    Trina’s optimism waned as the week progressed with the same duties assigned each day. On Friday, Dr. Groening remained at the clinic all afternoon, and he called Trina to his messy desk in the corner of the reception area at closing time.
    “I’ll plan to pay you each Friday, if that works for you.”
    “That’s fine.” She was accustomed to Mama paying her once a month, which worked okay since she rarely went to the bigger towns more often than that. Tony went into McPherson frequently, though, sometimes giving rides to their Amish neighbors who didn’t own vehicles. He could take her pay to the bank for her.
    Dr. Groening placed a check in her hand. “You’ve done well, Trina. I appreciate your efforts.”
    Trina folded the check without looking at it and slipped it in her apron pocket. “Thank you.”
    The doctor crossed his arms and peered down his nose at her. “Are you satisfied with the job?”
    Trina raised her shoulders in a slow shrug. She didn’t want to complain, but she did want to know when she would finally be doing something besides cleaning up. “I appreciate being able to work here, but I wonder when I might actually get to work with the animals.”
    Dr. Groening’s gray